Akatsuki Translations

【Dragon-Devoured Uuga】, External Corridor of the Command Center

The highest command center of Uuga, a breathtaking view awaited those who were not good with heights. It was the only place where one could get a complete view of the city built on Uuga’s back.

If Uuga were to become an open place like a tourist attraction, this command center would surely be one of the most popular spots.

There were three shadows in the corridor.

“Ur, do you run around Uuga so much every day?” -Eckstein

“It’s part of my training and patrol.” -Ur

《Nii-tan is so diligent. 》-Akane

One was Ur, another was Eckstein, and finally, there was Akane in her fairy form on Ur’s shoulder.

Fully armed in armor and even holding a dragonfang spear, what was he doing? It was part of Ur’s daily training.

Not only hunting monsters and collecting magical power, but also moving the body when there was nothing to do, familiarizing the absorbed magical power with the body, and learning how to move it was an important time. It was a habit ingrained from the his time at the Greed training center.

“But you don’t have to run in armor…!” -Eckstein

“No, I’ve recently come to realize it again. Being able to run in an armed state is important. It’s a matter of life and death.” -Ur

《Because we’re always surrounded by monsters. 》-Akane

“What happened…?” -Eckstein

Around the third lap of the corridor, Ur stopped. Eckstein took a deep breath and sat down. Ur started stretching his body as it was.

“This is tough…! It’s no different from the hard training when I joined the knight order.” -Eckstein

“Practice is a big factor. You didn’t have to keep up with me if you didn’t want to.” -Ur

“Well, after that meeting, things were hectic, and I didn’t have a chance to talk to you two properly…” -Eckstein

Saying that, Eckstein wiped his sweat and stood up. Then he smiled at Ur and Akane.

“It’s been a while, Ur. Akane.” -Eckstein

“It really has been a long time. I was surprised, Ecks.” -Ur

《Really. 》-Akane

Eckstein, a close friend Ur had made during his stay in the City of Sin, Envy. For the wanderer Ur, encounters were thought to be once-in-a-lifetime, so it was a surprise to be able to reunite with a friend like this.

Moreover, he never thought they would meet again in such a way.

“For now, let me flick your forehead. You bullied me.” -Ur

“If an adventurer flicks my forehead with full force, my brain will shake and I’ll pass out. I don’t want that.” -Eckstein

《Accept your punishment. 》-Akane

Akane patted Ecks’ head, and he laughed, saying to spare him since it was work. Compared to the impression from when he was a child, his physique had naturally grown larger, and he seemed to have become a little more mentally robust.

In the past, if he had ended up opposing Ur and the others, even if it was for work, he would have had a face that looked like he was about to die. Back then, he had a weak impression both physically and mentally.

“But I was surprised. To think you joined the knight order. I thought for sure you’d end up working in a magical machine workshop.” -Ur

“My relatives told me to do that, but…” -Eckstein

The house he lived in was one of the many magical machine factories in Envy. Ur had often witnessed him being forced to help with factory work.

“Magical machine workshops are so common in Envy that I wasn’t drawn to them. In the first place, I had been helping out since I was a kid, but it wasn’t fun at all.”  -Eckstein

“It’s dangerous too. You must have been sick of it.” -Ur

Ecks’ parents had apparently died in an accident while creating a magical machine. Ecks himself seemed to feel like it was someone else’s business since it happened before he was old enough to remember.

“And I got tired of living in the corner of that cramped workshop, so I made up my mind and joined the knight order.” -Eckstein

“That was really a bold move. You used to be bad with violence too.”  -Ur

《You look cool. 》-Akane

“Thanks, Akane. I had a hard time getting to the point where it suits me.” -Eckstein

Ecks lifted his arm. Indeed, in the past, he was so thin that if he wore armor, it seemed like he would be crushed along with it. He must have built his body through the knight order’s training.

“And you’ve become the vice-captain of the unit. That’s a big promotion.” -Ur

“Not as much as you, I was the one who was surprised!” -Eckstein

Ecks suddenly raised his face and stared at Ur’s appearance. Well, certainly, Ur’s current appearance had changed drastically compared to when they parted ways.

“You said you’d never become an adventurer, but now you’re a silver-rank candidate whose name is well-known even outside of adventurers! What happened?” -Eckstein

“It’s hard to explain.” -Ur

If asked what happened, it was that he had been through incomprehensible things.

Looking back, even if he talked about it, it would probably be taken as a joke, and most of it would be problematic to even talk about. Honestly, there was a part of him that didn’t understand why he was in a place like this now.

“In short, Akane was sold and about to be dismantled.” -Ur

《About to be dismantled. 》-Akane

“You really simplified it?!” -Eckstein

“No, that’s the very beginning. A lot happened after that, and now I’m riding on Uuga.” -Ur

“This is troubling… I don’t understand anything…” -Eckstein

“Honestly, I don’t really get it either.” -Ur

Looking at Uuga advancing on the ground, Ur groaned gloomily.

He really had no idea why he was riding on such a thing, heading to the City of Sin, Proudia, and on top of that, being forced to have an audience with the Wise Heavenly King.

　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Several more days had passed since the【Heavenly Demon’s Trial 】.

As a result, the 【Spirit of Judgment】 granted executive power to Black, who emerged as the victor of that trial, and imposed coercive power on everyone else. Ur and the others were forced to build new achievements as per Black’s instructions, while Envy was prohibited from interfering with Gradol in any way until then.

Consequently, the Dragon-Devoured Uuga headed southwest from Gradol territory.

Towards the leading power of the 【Grand Federation】.

The center of the Isralia continent.

The 【City of Sin, Proudia】.

“I can’t believe Proudia also gave permission…” -Ur

“I think it was probably Greylei who gave permission. He’s also in Proudia right now.” -Diz

“…Uuga has been targeted by a troublesome person…” -Ur

Detailed route specifications and designated parking areas were provided to ensure that the massive Uuga wouldn’t cause problems during its movement.

The preferential treatment made it frightening to imagine what awaited them.

――I’ll be going then. I’ll return to Gradol and discuss today’s matters with the priests. -Lacretia

――Thank you for your hard work, Lacretia-sama. -Ur

――It’s only natural. Please don’t die, everyone. If you die, it will all be for nothing. -Lacretia

――What are we going to get involved in??? -Ur

Gradol’s Shinra, Lacretia, returned to Gradol after the trial ended and before Uuga’s departure. It was a hectic affair, but she probably had a mountain of issues to settle within Gradol based on this trial.

In fact, the 【Spirit of Judgment, Fiar】, only gave conditional approval to the proposal of entrusting Uuga’s management, and it was up to them to actually implement it. There were likely numerous hurdles they had to overcome.

Lacretia was probably going to face an amount of work that could potentially lead to death from overwork, but it really bothered him that she deeply pitied him.

――The【 Flying Fortress Garuda】 and most of the troops will return to Envy. Some troops, including Eckstein, will continue to be stationed on Uuga, so keep that in mind. -Gloria

――Understood, Gloria-dono. Ecks is not an unfamiliar face. We’ll get along well. -Ur

――Please do your best to make mistakes. It will become an opportunity to offer you to the Heavenly Demon Greylei. -Gloria

――I will do my best. -Ur

The Envy Knight Order, including Gloria, also returned with a displeased look on their faces, leaving some knights, including Eckstein, on Uuga. She was a rather intense elf who didn’t forget sarcasm until the end. Basically, he thought the elves were a race that didn’t express their emotions much, but it seemed to be a prejudice.

As a result, currently remaining on Uuga were Diz, who had separated from Gradol and rejoined, Eckstein, who had parted ways with the Envy Knight Order, and one more person–

“Ur-sama, there you are.” -Shizuku

“Ah, Shizuku… and… Black-dono.” -Ur

“Oh, Little Ur, what’s with that terrible face? Did something unpleasant happen?” -Black

“Right now, actually.” -Ur

The man who had just arrived with Shizuku, Black, was somehow staying on his own.

He sincerely thought, “Go home,” but Black was cleverly staying put, saying, “I came here using a teleportation scroll, but I used it all up☆.” Frighteningly, he had decided where to live before being shown around and had even started moving in furniture from who knows where. What was with this man, really?

“There’s an empty house here, so it would be a pity not to use it, right? Houses will quickly deteriorate if you don’t use them.” -Black

“Well, I’ve heard that kind of story somewhere before.” -Ur

“Also, if I move in my belongings and settle down before the land allocation is officially decided, I can claim it as my own land.” -Black

“His way of thinking is completely like the mafia or something like that…” -Ur

“The trick is to make the other party think you’re a hassle.” -Black

During the conversation, Ur hid Akane in his bosom. He absolutely couldn’t let Akane out in front of this man. If this man found Akane, there was no telling what he would say or try to do, but it was certain that nothing good would come of it.

“I’m telling you, don’t lay your hands on anything other than the place you’re currently squatting in. This place belongs to Gradol for now.” -Ur

“Little Ur, you shouldn’t faithfully keep your promises in such opportunities, you know? You have to carefully discern the line between out and safe, and then calmly cross it.” -Black

“You’re already crossing it, right?” -Ur

“If you’re interested, I can teach you how to do it. How about holding a seminar with the Nameless people and attendants living here?” -Black

“A shady guy holding a shady business seminar is like hell, seriously stop it.” -Ur

It would be fine if he just talked nonsense like this, but this man created a country with his charisma and ability. At worst, they could be brainwashed. He had to remind the residents living here that they shouldn’t carelessly approach this man.

“Unnecessary work keeps piling up… Shizuku, don’t accompany a guy like this.” -Ur

“Talking with Black-sama is very enjoyable, you know? Although I do mind that his gaze is always directed at my chest and his hands seem to reach out.” -Shizuku

Shizuku smiled happily, but Ur and Ecks’ gazes towards Black turned cold.

“A shady old man and a sexual harasser… Is there a dungeon in Uuga?” -Ur

“Wait a minute. It would be a loss in life not to gaze at this magnificent sight!!” -Black

“Don’t be so brazen. Don’t point your finger.” -Ur

“Well, I thought Glo had grown into quite a fine specimen, but to think there’s a girl rivaling her in the same place, this old man is surprised!” -Black

“Could you please stop bringing up people’s superiors?” -Eckstein

Ecks made a genuinely disgusted face. Thinking that this man had been considering such things throughout the trial made him dizzy, and the thought of being jerked around because of such a man made him sad.

However, no matter how shady or wicked this man was, he was the victor of that trial, and it was also this man who was determining Uuga’s current destination.

“…So what the hell is this 【Sun-Devouring Ceremony】anyway?” -Ur

“Huh? Didn’t you hear about it from the Hero?” -Black

“It’s all a mess because of you. He said he’d tell me before we arrived, though.” -Ur

“Then I won’t tell you either. Look forward to it, okay? It’s gonna be one hell of a festival!” -Black

Black grinned. Maybe he should have punched him in the face five more times. Ur was just starting to think about punching him now, when–

“–Oh, Ur-sama.” -Shizuku

“Hm? What’s up, Shizuku?” -Ur

Shizuku suddenly called out to Ur. With a slightly troubled look on her face, Shizuku told him.

“We have a problem.” -Shizuku

Ur immediately gripped his dragonfang spear and took a stance.

“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden, Ur!?” -Eckstein

Ignoring the shocked Ecks, who was startled by his sudden battle stance, Ur lowered his posture and looked around. He didn’t sense any particular changes. It was the peaceful cityscape of the Dragon-Devoured Uuga. However, without letting his guard down, Ur asked Shizuku.

“What’s the problem?” -Ur

“Well, I think in about a few dozen seconds…” -Shizuku

Shizuku herself looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression and answered.

“Monsters will be falling from the sky.” -Shizuku

It took a little while to digest the meaning of her words. After digesting them, he still couldn’t understand the meaning of her words, so Ur looked up at the sky.

“…Huh?” -Ur

In the clear blue sky without a single cloud, numerous black shadows began to appear. They gradually, gradually grew larger and–fell.

『ＧＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡ！！！』

Literally, monsters were falling.

“Oh, it really is bad.” -Black

Black’s carefree comment was annoying.